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The late spring and early summer months of May and June offer the most blissful weather plus the best rates for accommodations. On the other hand, the wet season starts in June and will last till the end of November. An oasis of tropical calm, St. Lucia offers a different side of the Caribbean than you have ever seen before.
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There’s plenty to do, whether you want to join a chocolate-making workshop or browse Castries Market for spices and gifts. Bathe in the natural hot springs near Soufriere, or simply relax on one of the exquisite beaches. True adventurers could tackle the hike up Grand Piton for jaw-dropping views across the island. Grande Anse – Located around a 40-minute drive from the port of Castries, Grande Anse is a charming, secluded beach located on the eastern coast of Saint Lucia. If you are searching for lush nature, mountainous sceneries and peace, Grande Anse is a perfect spot. People come here to see the turtles, as the beach is a popular leatherback sea turtle nesting ground and turtles often come out of the water.
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On a cruise to St. Lucia you get to experience its breathtaking natural beauty unmatched by any place in the world. Tucked away in the Lesser Antilles and crowned by the Pitons’ towering twin peaks, St. Lucia is an emerald gem sitting on top of the blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. On top of the hill there are the military ruins and cannons open for visitors, and to get there, you need to take a minute hike slightly uphill. It’s totally worth the effort (moderate activity level), as from the hilltop you can admire the exceptional views of the northwest coast of St Lucia and Rodney Bay.
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English is the official language, but locals often speak Kweyol, a French-influenced patois based.
With its intoxicating natural beauty and a secluded paradise feel, St. Lucia is a frequent stop on all major Southern Caribbean cruise itineraries. The world’s only drive-in volcano to the world’s best saltfish – and boundless white sand beaches in between. Furthermore, Cruise Critic makes no guarantees for availability of prices advertised on our site. A mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with thriving coral reefs and rain forest preserves. Visit the Diamond Botanical Gardens and Falls and the Morne Coubaril Estate. The trail is rocky and steep in some parts – therefore, you should go with a tour guide as they know the fastest and safest way to get you to the top.
Lounging is freely available to the public; you don’t have to be staying at the resort to enjoy the imported sandy beach. There are also loads of high-class restaurants all over the island, serving international as well as local cuisine. Among the island's specialities are fresh seafood and spicy rotis, not to mention its famous rum punch. For an amazing view of the Pitons and the sea while you eat, head to Dasheene, where you'll find some tasty dishes using ingredients sourced from nearby plantations. Passengers get to have a guided tour of Morne Coubaril Estate, followed by some quality time spent at Toraille Waterfalls. They can enjoy a hearty Creole buffet lunch at a restaurant nestled in the Pitons’ shadow before they head back to their ship.
You can also book a chocolate-making tour and create your own exciting chocolates with different flavors, and learn how organic chocolate bars and coconut oil are made. There is a gift shop where you can buy local arts and handicrafts, as well as a bar where you can get a drink and relax in the lounge area overlooking the harbor. Another magnificent example of Victorian architecture, the estate is 122 years old and offers a wide variety of facilities to enjoy. The estate has been home to Caribelle Batik for almost 40 years and houses a batik studio offering batik-making demonstrations.
One of the best features of Castries is Morne Fortune, with its soaring height of 2,795 feet. Although most of the town’s colonial-period buildings were destroyed by a series of fires between 1785 and 1948, Castries still makes for an interesting stroll down fascinating historical landmarks. St. Lucia may be a small island, where a vibrant blend of colorful street parties, soulful music, delicious seafood, and lots of romance and adventure await you on the island. The bay served as a setting for several Hollywood movies and has become popular worldwide.
Other islands you may visit on a cruise from Florida to St. Lucia include Antigua, fringed by 365 beaches, or Barbados, where there’s a thriving cultural scene. Martinique is a tropical outpost of France, while on St. Kitts, you can ride a vintage train across the undulating countryside and coast. Back on your welcoming Celebrity ship after a day of discovery, enjoy some pool time, or cocktails in the Sunset Bar.
With some of the Caribbean’s most dramatic scenery — from the velvety twin peaks of the Pitons to the shimmering white-sand beaches — independent St. Lucia speaks with a decidedly French lilt. Climb green-mantled mountains and snorkel in jade seas on your sun-filled Carnival cruise to St. Lucia. At first glance, St Lucia is the archetypal Caribbean destination, with palm-fringed beaches surrounding a lush, forest-covered interior, harbouring all manner of secrets and mysteries. It's also home to the iconic Petit Piton and Gross Piton volcanic peaks, which rise up from the sea and loom over the entire island.
The prettiest part of the island is in the south, and most visitors head there to see the former French colonial capital Soufriere, the lush Diamond Botanical Gardens and the world's only "drive-in" volcano. More options include hiking through the rainforest, snorkeling the sunken wreck off of Anse Cochon and horseback riding along the coast. Marigot Bay – Situated on the western coast of St Lucia, a 30-minute drive from Castries cruise port, Marigot Bay is a magnificent natural harbor with deep, crystal clear water and several beautiful, sugar-white beaches.
Indigenous Arawaks and then the Carib were the first to inhabit this part of the world, and remained undisturbed here until European colonization efforts began in the early 17th century. Indigenous peoples called St. Lucia “Island of the iguana” for its massive iguana population. Both the British and French laid claim to the island, and the territory passed hands a dozen or so times in the course of two centuries. British and French influence on the area is still evident today from the architecture to the languages spoken. Eventually, in the mid-20th century, St. Lucia received independence from Great Britain. For an unforgettable hike in St. Lucia, your best bet is to climb one of the two Pitons.
The island passed back and forth 14 times between the British and the French until 1814, when the Brits finally took possession for good. Traces of both cultures still remain in the language; many St. Lucians speak both English and a French Creole patois, and it's visible in distinctive place names such as Soufriere, Gros Islet, Rodney Bay and Pigeon Island. Hashtag your cruise photos #carnival and #stlucia — you may see them right here.
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to St. Lucia (with Prices) on Cruise Critic - Cruise Critic
THE 25 BEST Cruises from Miami to St. Lucia (with Prices) on Cruise Critic.
Posted: Tue, 24 Oct 2023 22:05:40 GMT [source]
At Castries Market, locals sell fresh produce, spices and hot pepper sauces. At the adjacent Craft Market, vendors hawk T-shirts, wooden bowls, woven baskets and other items. The best duty-free shops are at Pointe Seraphine cruise terminal and across the harbor at La Place Carenage.
Once the capital city of the island, today a visit to Soufriere is one of the best ways to understand the island’s history. Head to Diamond Falls Botanical Garden to surround yourself with the area’s tropical plant life, or bathe in the thermal springs at Sulphur Springs Park. While Castries serves as the main port of call in St. Lucia, some cruise ships make additional stops at Soufriere, a laid-back dream destination featuring drive-in volcanoes and sulfur springs. Measuring just 27 miles in length and 14 miles in width, St. Lucia is gifted with everything from fertile valleys and majestic peaks, to bubbling mud springs and volcanic beaches, to tiny fishing villages and luxury holiday resorts. Its western skyline dominated by the pointed peaks of the forest-clad Pitons mountains, St. Lucia is one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean.
Surrounded by densely forested hills from three sides, Marigot Bay boasts luxurious hotels, beach resorts, sophisticated restaurants, and a multitude of picturesque yachts, catamarans, and boats moored in its marina. Vigie Beach – Situated within a 20-minute walk or a 5-minute drive from the Castries port, Vigie Beach ranks among the most visited and popular beaches for cruisers. Its long, sandy stretch of beach, turquoise waters, a lot of natural shade, and a variety of beach facilities make it attractive for visitors of all ages. It can be crowded when several ships are in port, but despite that, it’s beautiful and totally worth visiting. Getting ashore, this gem of an island begins with your ship docking at Pointe Seraphine, St. Lucia cruise terminal, located at only a mile from Castries’ capital city.
